Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon can also enter your home through well water. Your home can trap radon inside.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other major national and international scientific organizations have concluded that radon is a human carcinogen and a serious environmental health problem. The EPA has conducted extensive research on the presence and measurement of radon in schools. This report provides school administrators and facilities managers with instructions on how to test for the presence of radon. Section 1 of this report includes information on radon facts, health effects, radon exposure, radon problems in schools, and radon entry into schools. Section 2 on radon testing in schools includes information on measurement strategy in schools, what rooms to test, when to conduct radon measurements, who may conduct testing, quality assurance measurements, summary of EPA recommendations, deciding how quickly to mitigate, and a decision making flow chart. Section 3 covers reducing radon concentrations. Section 4 includes frequently asked question on radon and radiation, planning for testing, conducting initial measurements, tampering and detector placement, weather conditions, conducting follow-up measurements, and quality assurance. Appendices include a list of state radon contacts, a list of EPA Regional Offices and Radon Training Centers, information on using a measurement service, measurement devices, quality assurance procedure, and a procedural checklist for radon testing. (JPT)

You cannot see, smell or taste radon. But it still may be a problem in your home. When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk for respiratory issues. Radon has been classified as a known human carcinogen and has been recognized as a significant health problem by groups such as the Centers for Disease Control, the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association. As such, risks from in-home radon exposure have been a major concern for the EPA. The "Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction: How to Fix Your Home" Contains information about home radon mitigation: radon reduction techniques and radon reduction systems.